With indignation at France's anti-war stance strong in the US, he explains his feelings about being an American in Paris.

Several weeks ago I was asked by friends in California to send some tips and travelling advice to relatives who were planning a trip to Paris.

Having already had plenty of experience showing the 'City of Light' to friends and colleagues passing through over the past 10 years, I was more than happy to oblige.

Hence my surprise to hear them voice their worries about the French 'spitting on Americans', in accordance with reports they had received.

The simple idea that France should be 'punished' for its position has been rejected by every American I have spoken with as 'perverse and anti-democratic'

This was quickly followed up, as if to react to the Gallic assault, by 'anti-French sentiment over here is pretty bad now... what do you know?'

What I know is that those who passed on such rumours concerning French behaviour either got into a row with someone over another matter and chose to turn it into a political statement, or more likely got in the way of someone spitting onto the street, a rather common practice here.

During the months leading up to the American-British intervention in Iraq, I did not once hear or see an act of anti-Americanism directed at a citizen of the United States, despite the various organised official demonstrations against the war.

As I am constantly travelling through the city using public transport, I witness daily stress levels and political currents, quite aside from countless conversations had with French citizens from many social strata.

To this day I have been astounded by the lucidity with which Parisians have dealt with insults and attacks from an American press which seems to be projecting its own fears of judgement by the international community through the designation of an easy scapegoat rather than self-analysis.

Colonial pain

Since the conquest of Algiers in 1830, the French people's history of colonisation in the Orient has taught them many, often painful, lessons.

Hence the bewilderment here that the American government would react so violently to the French opposition to any military action in Iraq.

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The French remember Algeria and the decades of compromise in a finally failed attempt to prepare this country for integration into the Republic.

When my friend's relatives finally arrived, they were overwhelmed by the warmth and helpfulness accorded them by every Frenchman encountered during their visit.

They also agreed that the war, and the 'pitiful' collapse of Baghdad were nothing compared to the struggle ahead, for which the experience and pragmatism of the French shall be sorely needed.

As they were themselves part of a group, I was able to gather varying opinions, but there seemed to be a general consensus on two important points.

First, Americans are bombarded with misinformation through the media, specifically geared to discreetly manipulate their outlook on world events.

Scepticism

Those who make a real effort to inform themselves find their trust in the American government's political and military strategy severely questioned.

They begin to understand how foreign countries look at their purported altruism with a very sceptical eye: business interests are usually not far behind and often end up costing lives.

France has been a leading opponent of military action

Second, regardless of any supposed or real threat posed by a country, we are certainly confronted by the best-travelled series of weapons of mass destruction in modern history!

As a 'preventive' war in the 21st century, this precedent now permits any country that feels truly threatened to take care of its neighbour without the accord of any international body of law.

The simple idea that France should be 'punished' for its position has been rejected by every American I have spoken with as 'perverse and anti-democratic'.

Indeed what democracy would be possible without an opposition?

But the beauty and hope of what democracy is can only evolve when the American government realises that the world is not divided into good and evil, but every shading in a constant movement between the two.

The only step to enlightenment and reason can be made by letting go of fear, which only succeeds temporarily as an instrument of control.

A great admirer of France himself, Thomas Jefferson spoke of an 'informed electorate' as the true base of a 'healthy democracy' - we would all do well to heed him.

Vive l'Amérique-Vive la France!